Tag Archives: CEO

Walters is a partner and CEO of KeatsConnelly, the largest cross-border wealth management firm in North America that specializes in helping Canadians and Americans realize their dreams of a cross-border lifestyle. Walters was twice named one of the top financial advisors in the U.S. by Mutual Fund Magazine.

2015 trend to watch:

“The most significant trend is the increasing complexity of the tax system and the cost of complying. The Affordable Care Act has many complicated and confusing rules that must be followed and many of those are related to tax credits; these rules apply to individuals and companies. The other tax-related tax complexity has to do with Net Investment Income Tax.”

Advice for 2015:

“The obvious answer is to say save more.
While this is true, I will say watch your expenses. Specifically, people are spending more for financial products than they should. When investing, use ETFs (exchange-traded funds), index funds, etc. The management fees on these investments are a fraction of the average mutual fund fee. When it comes to mutual funds, the adage, ‘you get what you pay for’ is not true.”

Best Arizona investment:

“If you own your own company, I would recommend investing in yourself. Otherwise, I would not suggest that you invest in individual securities because 1) there is no diversification, and 2) there is no evidence that anyone can do it better than buying an index, after expenses. I recommend buying one of the ETFs or index funds I talked about earlier.”

Becker leads Phoenix-based Impele, the market leader in custom-tailored consulting solutions for clients looking to expand or enter their businesses into sub-Saharan Africa. Becker, who lived in Africa for 19 years, has led the company to grow into locations in the U.S. and South Africa, and has established local experts in countries across Africa.

As CEO of Riot Hospitality Group, Hibbert has left his mark on the Arizona and Chicago restaurant and bar scene with concepts such as El Hefe (Scottdale, Tempe and downtown Chicago); Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row (Scottsdale with two new locations currently in development); and a new healthy lifestyle restaurant concept slated to open in Scottsdale late this year.

McGuire committed to changing the face of cancer care at a very young age when his grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. McGuire’s vision for CTCA is to remain on the leading edge of clinical research, advancement in precision medicine, genomic tumor testing and to ensure a cancer diagnosis of the future is less fearful and more hopeful.

Leading business figures, including BerkshireHathaway CEO Warren Buffett, are participating in a new speaker series at Arizona State University.

The “Iconic Voices” lecture series, to be held at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, features candid in-person and video interviews with business notables that include Buffett and Freeport-McMoran CEO Richard Adkerson as well as Andrew Fastow, the former Enron chief financial officer who was at the center a scandal with the energy company.

Jeff Cunningham, professor of practice at ASU’s Cronkite School and the W. P. Carey School of Business, is the creator and host of the series, which is scheduled for select Thursdays during the spring semester.

Cunningham, who is the former publisher of Forbes Magazine, said, “‘Iconic Voices’ will focus on candid discussions about the everyday lives of extraordinary people.”

“We have chosen to bring these important leaders and disruptors to the Cronkite School to impart the lessons from disruption in non-media industries that could be applied to the digital transformation taking place in the media,” he said. “They have relevance to our student journalists’ understanding of how different leaders approach change, innovation and disruption.”

“Iconic Voices” kicks off on Feb. 26 with an in-person interview with Fastow and concludes March 19 with an interview with Adkerson. The hourlong talks are open to the public and will take place in the Cronkite School’s First Amendment Forum on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.

The interviews will be featured on iconicvoices.org, currently under development, with articles written by Cunningham.

Cunningham joined ASU in 2014 as a professor in the areas of disruptive innovation and the business of media. In addition to serving as publisher of Forbes Magazine, he also was publisher of American Heritage magazine, founder and editor-in-chief of Directorship Magazine, the leading publication for corporate board directors, and a senior executive with BusinessWeek.

Cunningham has profiled or interviewed many key business and public policy leaders, including former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Schapiro and Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd C. Blankfein.

“Iconic Voices” Schedule

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015
7-8 p.m.
Andrew Fastow, former chief financial officer, Enron Corporation; convicted in 2006 of two counts of securities fraud
“Failed, Jailed, and Recovered”
Live interview conducted by Jeff Cunningham, professor of practice, Cronkite School and W. P. Carey School of Business

Thursday, March 5, 2015
7-8 p.m.
Warren Buffett, chairman and chief executive officer, Berkshire Hathaway
“When I Buy a Company, I’m a Journalist”
Video interview conducted by Jeff Cunningham,professor of practice, Cronkite School and W. P. Carey School of Business

Thursday, March 19, 2015
7-8 p.m.
Richard Adkerson, vice chairman, president and chief executive officer, Freeport-McMoRan
“The World of the Global CEO”
Interview conducted by Jeff Cunningham, professor of practice, Cronkite School and W. P. Carey School of Business

Scottsdale-based Discount Tire, the world’s largest tire and wheel retailer, announced that Michael Zuieback has been named CEO, effective January 12, 2015. Zuieback previously served as Discount Tire’s President and will succeed outgoing CEO Tom Englert who will remain an advisor to the CEO.

“It is time for us to pass the torch to the next generation of leadership,” said Bruce T. Halle, founder and Chairman of Discount Tire. “We are grateful for Tom’s tremendous service and look forward to his contributions for years to come. Tom will remain an important member of the Board of Directors as advisor to the CEO.”

Zuieback has been with Discount Tire for 14 years, first acting as the Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning before becoming the company’s President. As President, he was in charge of corporate strategy for the company at the executive and board level. Zuieback helped initiate the company’s cross-dock logistics procedure with Englert, who has served Discount Tire for nearly 40 years. Prior to joining Discount Tire, Zuieback was the Treasurer of Asia Pacific for Johnson Controls, Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & International Finance for Sara Lee Corporation and Credit Analyst at First America Bank. He graduated from Thunderbird School of Global Management with a Master’s in International Business in 1991. Zuieback also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.

“Over his tenure, Zuieback has demonstrated a passion for preserving and growing the ‘Discount Tire Dream.’ He has been influential in planning for the future and has helped the company adapt an integrated way of thinking,” added Halle. “We take pride in originating our growth from within. Zuieback has been fundamental in taking us to where we are today and his vision will help us reach new heights.”

Englert joined Discount Tire in 1975. His dedicated efforts have helped Discount Tire expand from 23 stores to more than 900 stores today. Early in his career, after spending six years as a Store Manager, Englert helped Discount Tire grow as an Assistant Vice President in both Arizona and California and then as Vice President of Colorado. After achieving record success, he joined the Corporate Office as Senior Vice President of Store Operations where he developed Discount Tire’s Certified Satisfaction training program and continued to help the company achieve record earnings. He also initiated a synchronized supply chain, connecting disparate groups together to better serve customers. Englert was named the company’s second CEO in 2004, succeeding Gary Van Brunt. Under Englert’s leadership as CEO, Discount Tire’s annual sales have grown from $1.8 to $4.3 billion and profits have quadrupled.

Green Valley Hospital and The CORE Institute, announced it signed an orthopedic service line co-management agreement. Under the agreement, The CORE Institute will provide orthopedic physician call coverage and service line management services at Green Valley Hospital.

Green Valley Hospital is a new, 50-bed, full-service general acute care hospital located south of Tucson in Green Valley, Arizona. Green Valley Hospital is currently under construction and plans to open in the Spring of 2015. The CORE Institute is Arizona’s largest comprehensive musculoskeletal and neurology medical practice.

The strategic partnership is similar to other service line co-management agreements wherein The CORE Institute leads orthopedic service improvement initiatives at more than a half-dozen hospitals in the greater Phoenix and Detroit metropolitan areas. The CORE Institute will add a large clinic in Green Valley to support patient care and service line co-management activities.

“The CORE Institute is thrilled to expand our Excellence through Evidence® platform in Southern Arizona to significantly enhance the orthopedic care available in the greater Tucson area,” said Chairman and CEO David Jacofsky, MD. “We’re excited to bring our standardized care approach, proprietary quality IT platform, and proven outcomes to Green Valley Hospital, and to help build an orthopedic program in Southern Arizona.”

“Our partnership with The CORE Institute is an investment that will ultimately shape the entire orthopedic service line and distinguish Green Valley Hospital as a leader in orthopedics delivery in Southern Arizona,” said David Wanger, CEO Green Valley Hospital. “The CORE Institute’s national reputation for excellence will help attract leading orthopedic specialists to the market and, in turn, local patients will be able to receive best-in-class care without having to travel to Tucson or Phoenix.”

“We’re excited to introduce cutting-edge care via an innovative model based on the highest level of collaboration to Southern Arizona,” said DeLyle Manwaring, Senior Vice President of Hospital Service Line Integration for The CORE Institute. “This co-management agreement brings together physicians and hospital leaders with a shared objective of excellent patient care, outcomes and enhanced patient experience.”

To support service line co-management operations, The CORE Institute will open a Southern Arizona clinic in 2015 and will add several surgeons, physician assistants and physical therapists to its team of more than 650 talented employees across Arizona and Michigan.

Mountainside Fitness announced the grand opening of its newest location near Desert Ridge Marketplace in February 2015.

The new fitness location will be located at 4355 E. Irma Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85050, on the North side of the 101, West of Tatum Blvd. and Desert Ridge Marketplace.

The Grand Opening celebration will be a free, family-friendly event with music, entertainment and food and beverages. Guests will be invited to tour the new facility, meet the trainers and receive promotional membership information.

“I am proud to announce the opening of our eleventh Valley location in the beautiful Desert Ridge community,” said Tom Hatten, CEO and founder of Mountainside Fitness. “We have received an outpouring of support from the community and are excited to see the Mountainside Fitness brand continue to grow in Arizona. This property is one of three new locations opening in the next year, along with Arrowhead and Queen Creek.”

The Desert Ridge location is offering exclusive deals to those who sign-up for memberships by December 31, 2014, including three months of free childcare and tanning, three free personal training sessions and no enrollment fees. Enroll by the deadline and members will also receive a 10 percent discount on all amenities for the duration of their membership.

JDA Software Group, Inc., the world’s leading supply chain and retail solutions provider, today announced that Baljit (Bal) Dail, a senior technology executive and JDA’s Chairman of the Board, has been named JDA chief executive officer after assuming the CEO position on an interim basis in May 2014.

“The potential for JDA now, and into the future, is tremendous and I am excited about the opportunity to continue leading this innovative company,” said Dail. “Our game-changing suite of solutions spanning retail and supply chain planning and execution, coupled with our deep expertise in many industries and regions, puts us in a perfect position to deliver real business value and results to leading companies around the world.

Dail has implemented a number of changes to JDA’s organization since assuming the interim position. He recently formed JDA’s Global Industries and Solutions business unit, responsible for developing the company’s solution suite vision, product portfolio strategies, and support and cloud operations. He also appointed a global sales leader to focus on establishing, growing and retaining strong customer relationships and building a progressive global alliances strategy and ecosystem. In addition, he established JDA’s Innovation Lab to focus on building transformational technology strategies that can propel JDA’s solutions by leveraging next generation platforms and emerging technologies.

Dail’s prior leadership experience includes previous roles as CEO of both Aon Hewitt and Aon Consulting, and as chief information officer of Aon Corporation. He also was a partner at McKinsey & Company focused on the high-tech sector, and is currently an operating partner at New Mountain Capital. His retail experience includes starting his career in the technology group at Marks & Spencer, a leading retailer in the United Kingdom.

A Wells Fargo employee emailed the company’s CEO asking for a $10,000 raise and cc’d 200,000 other employees. Then there’s Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella who said that women who don’t ask for raises will receive good karma. So what is the correct way to ask for a raise?

Jacqueline Whitmore is an internationally recognized etiquette expert and author of “Poised for Success: Mastering The Four Qualities that Distinguish Outstanding Professionals,” and founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach.

Her tips:

• Timing is everything. The best time to ask for a raise is three to four months before your annual review. That’s when the budgets are being decided. You may also request a raise when you have been asked to take on additional responsibilities that do not fall under your job description.

• Be organized. Have all of your facts and figures in order and be prepared to explain why you deserve a raise. Come prepared with a list of your yearly accomplishments, such as big projects you have completed, statistics and results of those projects (i.e. sales increased 15% as a result of X, Y, Z), how you saved the company money or increased the company’s bottom line.

• Do your research. Find out how much others in your industry or job position are making. Use this data to request a certain sum or a percentage.

• Consider your alternatives. If your employer cannot meet the dollar amount requested, be prepared to negotiate for benefits (example: additional personal days per year or the ability to work from home and telecommute one day per week). If you don’t get the amount you want, reply with, “What would it take for me to earn a better raise in the future?” That way you’ll know exactly what your boss expects of you.

• Be polite and diplomatic. If you do not get the raise, don’t get angry and threaten to leave the company, even if you think you might do so. It’s best not to burn any bridges just in case you do get a better offer or need a letter of recommendation.

“It’s a fact that if you don’t ask, you may never get. If you’re not earning a fair salary or not being given the raise you think you deserve, it’s time to focus on asking for what you think you’re worth,” Whitmore says. “Asking for a raise is not only good business sense, it shows that you’re committed to your well-being and that of your family.”

Earlier this year, Candace Hunter Wiest, president and CEO of West Valley National Bank, launched AZ Dental Bank, a specialty group that she unveiled at the Western Regional Dental Convention in Phoenix. Az Business sat down with Wiest to talk about trends in her industry.

What attracted you to the banking industry?
CHW: They describe me as the Cinderella CEO. I was in the restaurant business when my husband left me with three kids at age 21. I had to have a job and I had a high school diploma, so I went to work for a bank-owned insurance agency. After I turned that around — they forgot to tell me it had never made money when they hired me — they offered me a job at a bank here, so I threw my kids into the truck and moved to Arizona. I like the diversity of the banking industry and how it’s a puzzle and you have to figure out how to make it work.

What enabled you to become such an effective leader?
CHW: I never take myself seriously. When you start taking your own press releases seriously, you’re in trouble. I will just not give up. When I want something, I will not quit until I get it. This bank has been a challenge because we opened in 2006 and I like to say we did the right things and the right time for the right people and we are starting to see the benefits of that. I also had three kids who needed shoes and clothes and food and that’s a real motivator.

What prompted you to start AZ Dental Bank?
CHW: We weren’t growing after the Recession and we were trying to figure out where the growth was coming from. Our bank has a significant number of shareholders and directors in the medical and dental industries. They believe local physicians and dentists are under-served and would welcome an opportunity to do business with a local bank. As a result, we have spent the last 30 months learning about the challenges and opportunities local dentists face every single day. This is a pun, but we now have deep roots in the dental industry.

What is the benefit of a specialty bank?
CHW: We believe that a bank founded by dentists and physicians for physicians and dentists will be able to provide superior service and products because of that knowledge. We also have a community board consisting of professionals who serve the dental industry who have helped guide us as we formed this new entity. They will also contribute regularly to our website to provide local expertise for our clients and potential clients.

What are some trends you’re seeing in the banking industry?
CHW: The days of banks being able to be all things to all people is over. The mortgage industry showed us that. What we like about the AZ Dental Bank model is that we will be able to replicate this process and there are similarities with other industries. We have three other industries targeted, but I’m not going to say what they are yet.

What advice would you give to other women who aspire to be a business leader?
CHW: Be brave. I like something Pink said. “Be humble in victory, be brave when you’re afraid, be strong when you feel weak, and be bad-ass every day.” I’ve been scared to death my whole life, but I was brave when it counted.

They are the best business minds in Arizona. They are innovators, trailblazers and leaders of men.

They are Az Business magazine’s Most Influential Women in Arizona Business for 2014, as selected by the editorial team at Az Business magazine and a panel of industry experts. The Most Influential Women were honored Thursday at a reception at The Venue in Scottsdale.

“While their resumes and career paths may differ, the women we selected have all procured influence in their respective fields through hard-earned track records of profitability, business ethics and leadership,” said AZ Big Media Publisher Cheryl Green. “Az Business magazine is proud to congratulate the women who earned the right to call themselves one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business. They are changing the face of Arizona business.”

In addition to the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business, Az Business also selects five “Generation Next” women who are making an impact on Arizona, even though they are less than 40 years old. Those women selected for 2014 are:

To select the best and brightest women to recognize each year, the editor and publisher of Az Business magazine compile a list of almost 1,000 women from every facet of Arizona’s business landscape — banking, law, healthcare, bioscience, real estate, technology, manufacturing, retail, tourism, energy, accounting and nonprofits. Once that list is compiled, we vet the list, narrow it down to about 150 women who we feel are most deserving, and then submit the list to 20 of their peers — female leaders from a variety or industries — and ask them to vote. If they want to vote for someone whose name is not on the list of those submitted for consideration, voters are invited to write in the names of women who they think deserve to members of this exclusive club.

Az Business also does not allow a woman to appear on the list most than once.

John Alpaugh, former chief marketing officer (CMO) of PetSmart, Inc., has joined CyberMark International as its new CEO.

Alpaugh purchased CyberMark, one of the country’s leading Internet and digital marketing companies, from founder Kimberly Judd-Pennie, who will stay on in the role of chief customer officer, with responsibility for sales and customer relationships.

In 1994, Judd-Pennie launched CyberMark from her kitchen table, and the company quickly became a pioneer in search engine optimization (SEO). Today, CyberMark is among the country’s most knowledgeable and experienced full-service Internet marketing providers and has been named one of the top SEO companies by panel of independent professionals. In addition to SEO, CyberMark provides website development, pay per click advertising, social media and reputation management and video production.

“To make the most of those opportunities, we need a strong senior leader with substantial experience and proven skills in marketing and business leadership. John is the perfect person to take the company forward.”

As CMO and senior vice president of PetSmart, Inc., the nation’s largest retailer of pet supplies and services, Alpaugh was part of an executive team that delivered average annual growth in shareholder value of more than 30 percent.

Alpaugh said CyberMark also is poised for growth, as it occupies a space not served by other Internet marketers.

“While most Internet marketing companies specialize in one or two areas, CyberMark offers affordable, full-service digital marketing solutions for small and medium sized businesses,” Alpaugh said. “But what really sets us apart is our partnership approach with our customers. We learn their businesses and provide a customized digital marketing solution for each customer.”

The company is known for long-term relationships with its clients, exceptional customer service, strong business ethics, and transparent communication about its practices and results. CyberMark received the Arizona Better Business Bureau Ethics Award in 2011 and, in 2012, was a finalist for Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business “Spirit of Enterprise Award, ” which recognizes businesses that positively impact the state’s economy while exhibiting ethics, energy, and excellence in entrepreneurship.

Under Alpaugh’s leadership, CyberMark will look to grow through new client acquisition, and by developing new and emerging services that can create value for clients.

During his 16-year tenure at PetSmart, Alpaugh held senior-level positions in marketing, consumer research, merchandising, and strategic planning and business development. Prior to that, he was a brand manager with Procter and Gamble. He has a bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Cincinnati, and a master of International Marketing Management from the Thunderbird School of International Management.

The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee announces its Board of Directors for Super Bowl XLIX. The board of directors is comprised of business leaders that volunteer their time to drive the state’s efforts for Super Bowl XLIX.

The Host Committee is a private, non-profit Arizona corporation. The mandate of the Host Committee is to galvanize local stakeholders in a united approach to hosting the largest single-day sporting event by maximizing positive media exposure, fueling the economic engine of Arizona and leaving a lasting legacy long after the excitement of the Big Game. The board was assembled in 2013 to begin planning and to garner local corporate support and sponsors.

● Mary Martuscelli, regional president for the private client reserve, U.S. Bank

● Andrew McCain, vice president and CFO, Hensley Beverage Company

● Patrick McGinley, vice president of property management, Vestar

● Steve Moore, president and CEO, Greater Phoenix CVB

● Jodi Noble, partner, Deloitte

● Jay Parry, president and CEO, Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee

● Earl Petznick Jr., president and CEO, Northside Hay Company

● Ken Van Winkle, managing partner, Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP

● KJ Wagner, president and CEO, Willis of Arizona, Inc.

● David Watson, co-founder and managing partner, mybody and president and managing partner, Revolution Tea

● John Zidich, CEO, Republic Media Publisher, The Arizona Republic

“We have an impressive group of business leaders working together to meet the fundraising goals for Super Bowl XLIX and to maximize the opportunity to build the Arizona brand in this unparalleled global spotlight,” said David Rousseau, Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee chairman. “We want to promote Arizona as an ideal destination for businesses and tourists well beyond Super Bowl XLIX.”

Super Bowl XLIX is scheduled to be played at University Of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015, marking Arizona’s second Super Bowl in seven years. In Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 3, 2008, The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 17-14. Arizona’s first big game, Super Bowl XXX, was held at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium in 1996, with the Dallas Cowboys beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17.

AZBio Expo 2014 had “aha moments” at every turn. With over 250 entrepreneurs, innovators, business leaders, legislators, scientists and researchers in attendance, the energy was sizzling and the outlook endless. Here are just a few of the event highlights, appropriately, A to Z:

A – Access to Capital is the key. No money. No honey. Capital fuels innovation and commercialization. In the first panel discussion of the day – Funding Paths for Innovators – AZBio chief Joan Koerber-Walker engaged Mary Ann Guerra (BioAccel), Paul Jackson (Integrus Capital/Worthworm) and Kelly Slone (National Venture Capital Association) in a no-holds barred discussion. “The entire ecosystem has changed,” according to Slone. “After the tech bubble burst, available venture dollars have been virtually cut in half.” Guerra explains that only one in 100 will get angel funding – and then only one in 100 will get venture funding. We need to think of new ways to help our startup entrepreneurs get funding.” Jackson urges innovators to think like investors and offers one solution with his online valuation process, Worthworm.

B – Bridging the Gap with the 21st Century Cures Initiative. “No industry has to face the challenges we face to bring a product to market,” says Koerber-Walker. “We have new hope in the 21st Century Cures Initiative. Google it. Watch the videos, See what they are doing. There is exciting stuff happening and some of it is happening in Arizona.”

C — Cure Corridor. Scottsdale’s Mayor Jim Lane shares his pride and plans for the largest concentration of bioscience businesses in the U.S., the Cure Corridor, bounded on one side by the Scottsdale Airpark on the West, and the Fountain Hills Mayo facility on the East, “a major driver of our economy, with $2½ billion in direct economic impact and $3.5 billion in indirect impact.” According to Lane, “Health and wellness are a part of Scottsdale’s identity. We should never stop asking how we can find new answers alleviate pain, restore health and improve the quality of life.”

D – Discovery. Development. Delivery. Valley Fever Solutions CEO David Larwood shared his company’s formula for achieving success in development and funding – The Five R’s:

Right drug.
Right patient.
Right safety.
Right time. (How long before we can sell it?)
Right reimbursent.

E – Epigenetics and Personalized Medicine. Start-up company INanoBio founder and CEO Bharath Takupalli, explained that the genome sequencing market is expected to grow to $10 billion by 2020. With a unique capability to combine nanotechnology and biomedicine, his company is in the lead for building new solutions now. “We aim to develop a $100 ultrafast nanopore-based desktop sequencer – a point-of-care diagnostic” that will help change the face of healthcare, he explains.

F – Funding needs to be the focus for the future. According to a Flinn Foundation/Batelle report, “Arizona has many bioscience strengths and opportunities, but a substantial increase in private and public investment will be needed over the next decade to realize the [Flinn Foundation’s] Roadmap’s goals.” Last year, Arizona bioscience sector attracted $37 million in venture capital investment, up from $23 million from 2012, but that is only a fraction of the $9.8 billion invested nationally.

The goal is to increase the annual investment up to $40 million for seed capital in emerging companies and up to $125 million in venture capital.

G – Genomic advances hold high hopes for positively disruption. Explaining that healthcare premiums are growing at three times the rate of inflation and wages, Frederic Zenhausern, Ph.D., MBA, president of Whitespace Enterprise, says “The new era of precision healthcare (also called personalized healthcare) will provide more accessibility, transparency and health information to improve – dramatically – quality and lower cost over time.” His start-up company, based in Fountain Hills, develops methods for automating and miniaturizing the workflow processing of biological specimens.

H – Henry Ford.“I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done,” said Henry Ford. So does Robert Penny, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of the International Genomics Consortium and founder and CEO of Paradigm. “Phoenix has become the Grand Central Station for all the aggregating and analyzing cancer tissues. We have 10,000 tumors – and the information is publicly available. This will accelerate cancer discovery at a rate faster than ever,” he says. “This is a tidal wave that Arizona has led. Everyone in this room should be grabbing a surfboard and figuring out how to ride it.”

I – IPO: The nation’s top IPO of 2013 is right here in Chandler. With 380 percent growth in shareholder value, Insys Therapeutics, a commercial-stage specialty pharmaceutical company, ended the year with a market cap of $800 million. Darryl Baker, the chief financial officer, explained how the company, founded in 2002 by Dr. John Kapoor, was determined to discover better ways to deliver existing medications to patients. A sublingual fentanyl spray technology delivers treatments to opioid-tolerant cancer patients and holds real possibilities for better helping patients with acute pain, major burns and pediatric issues. In the R&D pipeline now is the development of a pharmaceutical cannabinoid, aimed at easing epilepsy, peripheral neuropathy and cocaine addiction.

J – Jobs: 107,000 bioscience jobs – good-paying and growing. Arizona has nearly 107,000 bioscience jobs, based on 2012 industry data, and the sector contributes an estimated $36 billion in revenue to the state’s economy, according to a study by the Ohio-based Battelle Technology Partnership Practice. Hospitals account for 83,000 of those jobs and $22 billion of the revenue. Arizona’s average annual wage in the bioscience sector is $62,775, 39 percent higher than the private-sector average, the report said. Not counting hospital jobs, the average wage for bioscience jobs jumps to $85,571. (2013 data).

K – Kalos Therapeutics is building a promising platform for future drug discovery. Start-up innovator Michael Kozlowski, OD, Ph.D., chief science officer of Kalos Therapeutics, explains that their focus on transforming the atrial natriuretic family of peptides engages a natural biochemical mechanism. This approach holds promise for people with pancreatic cancer because it results in a more complete response, reduced side effects and improved safety and a longer period of effectiveness.

L – Let’s leverage every resource, strength, collaboration and person we’ve got! Arizona’s bioscience industry is aiming to increase research revenue for institutions statewide by 69 percent over the next decade to $782 million and attract additional anchors for the sector.

M – Medtronic models aggressive, needs-focused growth. Keynote speaker Ron Wilson, vice president and general manager of the Medtronic Tempe campus made it clear that passion for people runs through his veins. Locating a small manufacturing facility here in 1973, the company’s facility today covers 30 acres, has 900 employees and generates $17 billion in revenues. How do they do it? We follow our founder’s vision still: We understand what the unmet needs are and we apply our knowledge for the good of people all over the world.”

N – Next Level. “Arizona has made unprecedented progress over the last decade in developing the talent, building research infrastructure, and growing its base. Taking it to the Next Level will require new collaborative partnerships, forward looking leaders, and aggressive investments from both the public and private private sectors to take our place in the top tiers globally,” shared Koerber-Walker. ”Now is our time. Let’s get it done!”

O – Orphans no more. Valley fever, considered an orphan disease, hits about 150,000 people a year – 60 percent live in central Arizona. Current treatments have major shortcomings, with about 60 percent of those treated being unresponsive. The result is 2,000 serious cases and 150 deaths a year. It affects pets in nearly equal proportion. David Larwood, CEO of Valley Fever Solutions, has some answers. His company is developing Nikkomycin Z (NikZ) as a dramatically superior potential cure for Valley Fever. To help raise awareness and prevention, the Arizona Board of Regents created Valley Fever Corridor project, a public health program led by University of Arizona College of Medicine’s John Galgiani, MD, who is also the chief medical officer for Valley Solutions.

P – Policymakers are on board. Gov. Jan Brewer’s time is coming to a close and it’s time to decide which candidate can bring their best to bioscience. Recognizing that the Arizona bioscience sector is growing at four times the rate of the national average, candidates Christine Jones, Doug Ducey, Fred Duval, Ken Bennett and Scott Smith shared their ideas on how to ramp up funding and revenues in 90-second videos. Koerber-Walker says, “The most important thing we can do this summer is vote in the primaries.”

Q – Cues: Here are a few Q’s for success. Some lessons learned, courtesy of Robert Penny:

Make sure you have:

Complementary skills and expertise
Trust
Interpersonal chemistry (It’s better to navigate bumps in the road with people you trust than people you don’t!)

Pick the right projects:

Big enough to be worthy of your efforts
Complex enough to need partnerships
Audacious enough to move the field

R – Remembering Polio: Can Looking Back Catapult Us Forward? How did we cure the world of polio? What did it take to conquer the most feared disease of the 20th Century? What threatens our world today and how can we continue to keep people healthy with the right vaccines, for the right person at the right time? Gaspar Laca, state government affairs director at GlaxoSmithKime, engaged David Larwood, CEO and president of Valley Fever Solutions (and a person who has been directly affected by polio) and Rep. Debbie McCune Davis, executive director of The Arizona Partnership for Immunization, in a rousing discussion of what’s happening in Arizona today, the mounting threats of the ”vaccine exemptors,” and what we need to do now. (See Vaccines.)

S – Shoes. Did you see those shoes? “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world!” Enough said.

T – Tucson’s Critical Path Institute creates new tools. A jewel in the bioscience crown – and located right here in Arizona! The Critical Path Institute (C-Path) is a breakthrough organization, creating a new movement: “consensus science.” Keynoter Martha Brumfield. Ph.D, president and CEO, shared what can be achieved when people come together with the belief that a “rising tide floats all boats.” Working to improve the unacceptable 95 percent failure rate in the testing of new drug therapies, C-Path is improving medical product development efficiencies by identifying pathways that integrate new scientific advances into the regulatory review process. Check out their Alzheimer’s clinical trial simulation tool.

U – United we stand. Mayors Jim Lane (City of Scottsdale) and John Lewis (Town of Gilbert) will join Koerber-Walker and an Arizona bioscience-business contingent next week at the 2014 BIO International Convention in San Diego (June 23-26), the world’s largest biotechnology gathering. They will surely scoop up new ideas, new connections – and with any luck, new investment!

V – Vaccines: Get ‘em! Talk about ‘em. Challenge the myths. Explain the realities. Polio. Measles. And whooping cough today. Without proper vaccinations, whooping cough (pertussis) could be the polio of our time. “As science-minded people, the best thing you can do is activate conversations about the importance of vaccinations. Here’s some help: Why immunize?

W – White Hat event brings in national investors. (Apply by July 15th.) “AZBio’s White Hat Investor’s Conference is the first ever life science specific investor conference to be held in Arizona,” says Koerber-Walker. “Kelly Slone [of the National Venture Capital Association] has been an amazing partner to bring this together along with the state bioscience association leaders from across the Rocky Mountain Southwest Region. Investors and investment firms from across the country will be here, so get involved. Even if you feel like you are not ready yet, take the leap and apply to present. “

X – “X” marks the spot for our next big gathering. Wear your White Hat! The West was won by innovators, investors, and prospectors who understood the value of discovery and accepted the challenge of investing in new frontiers. Meet a new generation of biotech and healthcare pioneers at White Hat Investors 2014, the first annual biotech and healthcare investor conference that showcases the best of the Rocky Mountain & Southwest Region.

Bioindustry Associations from across the Rocky Mountain and Southwest Region are coming together to present an opportunity for Angels, Venture Capitalists and Strategic Investors to connect with the best biotech and healthcare investment opportunities from across the Rocky Mountain & Southwest states at White Hat Investors 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona on September 17 & 18, 2014.

Presenting Companies will be selected from the region’s emerging innovator leaders in the fields of:

Diagnostics
Therapeutics
Medical Devices
Health IT

Y – Young Talent is being cultivated. We got it! With nearly 50 abstracts accepted and student presenters presenting at the Expo, Koerber-Walker got it right when she said, “These young people are going to be working on things that we can’t even begin to imagine!” Arizona’s tremendous mentoring people and organizations are sharing knowledge, support and inspiration. For example University of Arizona student Keeley Brown is destined to help the world crack the code on genetically modified foods and farming. (Her presentation was the “Epigenetic Effects of Transgenic Manipulation in Glycine Max (Soybeans).

Zzzzzzzzz – No one fell asleep at this conference! Catherine Leyen, founder and CEO of start-up RadiUp, says she comes to AZBio to stay abreast of the action, connect with like-minded people and soak up inspiration. Her verdict of AZBIO Expo 2014? Mission accomplished!

The Fiesta Bowl has hired former Phoenix Coyotes CEO Mike Nealy as it executive director.

He replaces Robert Shelton, who resigned in January after spending 2 1/2 years trying to rebuild the bowl game in the wake of scandal. Shelton took over after John Junker resigned for taking part in an illegal campaign contribution scheme that ended with an eight-month federal prison sentence for him.

Nealy spent eight years as the Coyotes’ president and CEO, leading the franchise during a difficult four-year stretch without an owner.

He also worked as an executive with the Minnesota Wild for four years prior to joining the Coyotes.

In March, the Fiesta Bowl announced that Andy McCain, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Hensley Beverage Company, had been elected the 2014-15 Chairman of the Board.

McCain joined the Fiesta Bowl organization as a Board member in 2007. As Chairman of the Board, McCain will oversee the Fiesta Bowl organization, which operates the Tostitos® Fiesta Bowl, the Buffalo Wild Wings BowlTM and more than 40 related statewide events.

“It is an honor to be this year’s Chairman of the Fiesta Bowl,” McCain said. “I look forward to continuing the legacy started by our founders more than 40 years ago by hosting great games and events with unmatched hospitality, promoting Arizona and giving back to the community.”

JDA Software Group, Inc., the world’s leading supply chain planning and execution solutions provider, today announced a chief executive officer (CEO) change to lead the company through the next phase of its strategic growth plan. Baljit (Bal) Dail, a technology executive who has served as JDA’s chairman since May 2013, has been named interim CEO, effective immediately, replacing Hamish Brewer, who is leaving the company. Dail will lead the search for a permanent successor.

Dail has extensive past success in the information technology industry, and has previously served as CEO of both Aon Hewitt and Aon Consulting, and as chief information officer of Aon Corporation. He also was a partner at McKinsey & Company focused on the high-tech sector, and is currently an operating partner at New Mountain Capital. He started his career in the technology group at Marks & Spencer, a leading retailer in the United Kingdom.

“As the leader in supply chain, JDA already has the broadest and most advanced suite of solutions and services covering supply chain planning and execution,” said Dail. “Our intention now is to build on this leadership position by accelerating investments in our solution and delivery capabilities to empower our customers to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-challenging and increasingly complex global supply chain environment.”

“We appreciate Hamish’s leadership through a significant period of growth and success for JDA. On behalf of JDA’s board of directors, shareholders and associates, I would like to thank him for his significant contributions throughout his two decades of service to the company,” said Dail.

“I am proud of the company we built during the 20 years I have been with JDA,” said Brewer. “I am confident that JDA will only continue to strengthen its position as the leader in supply chain solutions and services.”

Wood/Patel announced that Michael Young P.E., is promoted to chief executive officer. Young served as senior vice president for the Land Development Division for the past 16 years.

“Mike is a proven leader and a great resource to clients,” expressed Darrel Wood, P.E., Founder of Wood/Patel. “He has led award-winning projects and created client relationships throughout his career. As the Arizona economy begins to recover we look forward to his leadership in advancing client goals.”

Young lends over 20 years of engineering expertise to a wide range of clientele in both the public and private sectors. His experience spans a broad area of responsibilities, including large-scale land development of master planned communities, site development projects and infrastructure projects involving transportation, drainage, water and wastewater.

These projects involve many client sectors such as single and multi-family residential; higher education and healthcare campuses; industrial, office and municipal complexes; retail and shopping center developments; public works and renewable energy.

In his new role, Young is responsible for the daily operations of the firm.

Anderson played an integral role in the planning and development of the child- and family-centered facility which opened in 2009. Anderson’s healthcare leadership experiences include serving as a nurse, educator, chief nursing officer, COO and executive vice president. She also serves on national healthcare reform committees.

Biggest challenge: “My father was an exceptional businessman and he taught us that there are no obstacles. We learned to view a business challenge as a puzzle and look for the pieces that appropriately fit together to complete our business strategy and implement our tactics.”

Advice to offer: “Never lose your passion for the children and families to whom your associates and doctors provide care. Your staff are the most important asset you have. Be available to them, encourage them and thank them for all they do.”

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) today announced the appointment of its Board of Directors for the 2014 fiscal year, as approved by the Executive Committee.

Alliance Bank of Arizona CEO James Lundy will continue to lead the Board of Directors as chairman.

“As the economy continues to improve, GPEC’s team of results-driven board directors will work to ensure the region not only maintains its trajectory but also pushes toward a more diversified and sustainable economy that is less dependent on growth industries like real estate and construction,” Lundy said. “I’m honored to work with this talented group of professionals and look forward to a productive year.”

New Board Directors include: Steve Banta, CEO of Valley Metro; the Honorable Denny Barney, District 1 Supervisor for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors; Scott Bradley, Area Vice President for Waste Management; Mark Clatt, Area President for Republic Services; the Honorable Vincent Francia, Mayor of the Town of Cave Creek; Dr. Ann Weaver Hart, President of the University of Arizona; Bill Jabjiniak, Economic Development Director for the City of Mesa; the Honorable Michael LeVault, Mayor of the Town of Youngtown; Rich Marchant, Executive Vice President, Global Operations for Crescent Crown Distributing; Ryan Nouis, Co-Founder and President of Job Brokers; and Eric Orsborn, Councilmember for the Town of Buckeye.

“GPEC’s success is largely driven by its strong Board of Directors, all of whom reflect the region and state’s most accomplished professionals,” GPEC President and CEO Barry Broome said. “Every single one of them truly cares about our market’s success and serves as a community thought leader when it comes to competitiveness.”

Mayors from GPEC’s member communities and the organization’s Nominating Committee are responsible for nominating and appointing Board Directors. The one-year terms are approved during GPEC’s Annual Board meeting.

GPEC FY 2014 Board of Directors:

James Lundy – Chairman
CEO
Alliance Bank of Arizona

Don Smith – Vice Chair
President and CEO
SCF Arizona

Chris Zaharis – Vice Chair
Executive Vice President
Empire Southwest

Tammy McLeod – Secretary
Vice President and Chief Customer Officer
Arizona Public Service Company

R. Neil Irwin – Treasurer
Partner
Bryan Cave, LLP

William Pepicello, Ph.D. – Immediate Past Chair
President
University of Phoenix

Cassidy Turley announced it completed a lease for 69,471 square feet for 1st United Door Technologies, LLC at Geneva Industrial, 1016 W. Geneva Drive in Tempe. Senior Vice President Bruce Calfee and Vice President Josh Wyss, of Cassidy Turley’s Industrial Group, represented the Tenant while Executive Vice Presidents Steve Sayre and Pat Harlan represented the Landlord, CLPF Geneva Industrial, LP (Phoenix).
1st United Door Technologies is a Tempe, Arizona based garage door manufacturer. The company specializes in steel and wood doors for both commercial and residential use. Ownership is comprised of the former owners and senior management of Anozira Door Systems. Since 1982, 1st United Door Technologies has been serving Homebuilders across the Nation with unique and distinctive garage doors that enhance the beauty and value of the Builders homes. With over 150 years of door installation and manufacturing experience, the management team is known for providing innovative and quality products at very competitive prices. The new Geneva Industrial location is part of a company expansion.
Built in 1981, Geneva Industrial is a ±69,471 square-foot, industrial manufacturing building. The property is part of the South Tempe Industrial Corridor and is in close to the I-10 and US-60 Freeways. The building is currently 100 percent leased.

Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall was honored with the prestigious Phoenix Award by the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The honor recognizes a CEO, business leader or community leader who has elevated the best practices of public relations.

“I am deeply honored, humbled and moved by this award,” said Hall. “This is really a reflection on the Diamondbacks organization and all of our employees for the great way in which we relate to the public and work closely with our fans, media members and clients.”

The Chapter has only bestowed the Phoenix Award 17 times in its history, with other legendary names such as Lou Grubb, Jerry Colangelo and last year’s winner Phil Pangrazio of Arizona Bridge to Independent Living.

Hall received the award during the event themed “Mastering the PR Puzzle” which took place at The Clayton on the Park in Scottsdale.

The Phoenix Chapter also awarded Abbie S. Fink, vice president and general manager of HMA Public Relations, with the Percy Award, which honors a professional who has demonstrated excellence in the practice of public relations, is an active supporter of PRSA Phoenix, and had made positive contributions to the Phoenix community. Christie Poole, PRSSA student with the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University — of which Hall is a member of the Hall of Fame — was awarded the Phoenix Chapter Student Scholarship.

Hall began his career in public relations, initially working for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league affiliate in Vero Beach, FL before joining the Major League team as Assistant Director of Public Relations. He became one of the youngest PR directors in MLB history in 1996 and eventually became the league’s first Sr. Vice President of Communications in 2000, a position he held with the D-backs in 2005.

Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall was honored with the prestigious Phoenix Award by the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The honor recognizes a CEO, business leader or community leader who has elevated the best practices of public relations.

“I am deeply honored, humbled and moved by this award,” said Hall. “This is really a reflection on the Diamondbacks organization and all of our employees for the great way in which we relate to the public and work closely with our fans, media members and clients.”

The Chapter has only bestowed the Phoenix Award 17 times in its history, with other legendary names such as Lou Grubb, Jerry Colangelo and last year’s winner Phil Pangrazio of Arizona Bridge to Independent Living.

Hall received the award during the event themed “Mastering the PR Puzzle” which took place at The Clayton on the Park in Scottsdale.

The Phoenix Chapter also awarded Abbie S. Fink, vice president and general manager of HMA Public Relations, with the Percy Award, which honors a professional who has demonstrated excellence in the practice of public relations, is an active supporter of PRSA Phoenix, and had made positive contributions to the Phoenix community. Christie Poole, PRSSA student with the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University — of which Hall is a member of the Hall of Fame — was awarded the Phoenix Chapter Student Scholarship.

Hall began his career in public relations, initially working for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league affiliate in Vero Beach, FL before joining the Major League team as Assistant Director of Public Relations. He became one of the youngest PR directors in MLB history in 1996 and eventually became the league’s first Sr. Vice President of Communications in 2000, a position he held with the D-backs in 2005.

IO, a global leader in software-defined data centers, today announced Michael Berry has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Berry will be responsible for financial planning and analysis, accounting, operations, treasury activities and investor relations, and will report to CEO and Product Architect, George Slessman.

“I am very happy to have Mike join IO,” said Slessman. “His experience as a proven operational leader and technology executive will support IO’s growth and provide a solid financial and operational foundation for the organization.”

Berry joins IO from SolarWinds, a publicly held international provider of IT management software with approximately $300 million in annual revenue and over $3.5 billion in market capitalization where he was Executive Vice President and CFO. He overhauled the company’s financial planning process and was instrumental in completing ten acquisitions and leading the maintenance renewal team to strong and consistent revenue growth. From a financial perspective, during Mr. Berry’s tenure the company achieved non-GAAP operating profit of greater than 50 percent for eleven straight quarters, and increased operating cash flow by 33% while growing total revenue by 28% on an annualized basis. Prior to SolarWinds, Berry was CFO at i2 (NASDAQ: ITWO), a publicly held, international provider of supply chain software and services. At i2, he rebuilt and scaled the finance and investor relations organizations, led the implementation of several financial planning systems, and played a key role in several strategic initiatives including the acquisition of i2 in January 2010 by JDA Software.

“I could not be more excited about joining IO,” said Michael Berry, IO’s new CFO. “Our leadership position in the foundation technology of the cloud, visionary leadership, marquis enterprise customers and disruptive technology, combined with my experience building the financial and operational foundation for proven technology companies, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is truly a great fit that aligns very well with my personal and professional goals and objectives.”

Prior to his CFO experience, Berry served in various executive roles at The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, a provider of software and services to the retail automotive industry, most recently as Senior Vice President of Solutions Management, Development and Operations. He has also held executive management positions at Comdata Corporation and Travelers Express Co. (now MoneyGram International). Berry is currently a Member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee Chairman for Rapid7, a privately-held security software company based in Boston, Mass.

John Eldean, Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate at Alliance Bank of Arizona, Sentari Minor, Arizona Humane Society Development Officer, and Paul Mulligan, CEO of Catholic Education Arizona, have been elected to three-year terms on the Boys Hope Girls Hope Board of Directors.

Boys Hope Girls Hope helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college. Since 1991, 100 percent of Boys Hope Girls Hope graduates have gone on to post-secondary education and have maintained a college-retention rate between 89 and 94 percent. The national average is 66 percent.

Eldean has ten years experience in commercial real estate banking with Alliance Bank and JP Morgan Chase. He also served a two-year term on the Kingman City Council, a community where he also coached youth hockey and soccer teams.

Sentari oversees fund development initiatives and programs at the Arizona Humane Society. Previously, he was a program specialist at the Rodel Foundation of Arizona. He currently serves on the boards of Social Venture Partners, the Welcome to America Project, Phoenix Collegiate Academy, Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and handles communications and marketing for Seattle-based nonprofit Community Arts Create.

Mulligan, a Phoenix native and Brophy Prep alum, earned a Master’s in Theological Studies from John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. Since 2007, he has directed Catholic Education Arizona, the state’s largest school tuition organization. Since its inception, Catholic Education Arizona has provided more than $110 million in needs-based funding to low-income families at 40 Diocese of Phoenix Catholic schools and to Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars.

For more information about Boys Hope Girls Hope, visit www.bhghaz.org.

An alarming Gallup poll published earlier this year is still sending shockwaves throughout the business community: Most American workers either hate their jobs or don’t care one way or the other about them.

Less than a third of Americans are actively engaged in their work, meaning they’re passionate about it, enthusiastic and energetic. They’re consistently productive, and high performing.

Gallup estimates the 20 million who are “actively disengaged” – openly negative and unhappy have a staggering effect on the economy, costing the United States $450 to $550 billion each year in lost productivity.

“Engaging employees is an issue I’ve been working on for more than two decades, and there is a solution. I call it human equity — the unique assets each individual brings to the workplace that are often unrecognized. Recognizing and leveraging your own human equity, as well as that of your employees, addresses not only the incredible waste of human capital illustrated in the recent poll, but also related concerns business leaders share, including the constant need for innovation. These challenges are not unique to the United States.”

There is a reason why executive royalty, such as Warren Buffet and former General Electric CEO Jack Welsh, sought talent beyond traditional criteria like knowledge and skills, which are also important, says Wilson. He offers a method for uncovering valuable intangibles in employees; he calls it the SHAPE V Talent model:

• Strengths: Consider strength as defined by the 1999 Gallup StrengthsFinder study, which includes “consistent near-perfect performance in an activity.” The study identifies 34 qualities, which can be innate and, unlike skills, are not learned. Individual employees and managers should not force a square peg into a round hole; if an employee’s near-perfect, near-effortless strength is in research and analysis, but not so much in data management, managers should allocate this resource accordingly.

• Heart: Have you ever wondered what comes first, whether you’re good at something because you like it, or you like it because you’re good at it? The chicken-or-egg question aside, what matters is the passion one has for a talent. This includes activities a worker would do even if he or she didn’t have to do it on the job. If a talented manager won the lottery and decided to quit his job, for example, he might be inclined to manage people in a local political campaign or take the helm of his son’s little league team.

• Attitude: There are three general attitudes an employee might have, according to a branch of study in positive psychology. First, there are those who approach their work as a job, who seek only a paycheck and benefits. The second group includes those with a career perspective who seek advancement. The third group views their work as a calling and deeply connects with what they do every day.

• Personality: In 2009, nearly $500 million was spent on personality testing in North America alone. A reliable test isn’t valuable in so much as it reveals differences among workers, which are most likely already apparent. The value of these tests is in showing how and where differences lie. Understanding differences can lead to an appreciation for how and why coworkers perform and improve the synergy of teams.

• Experience: Who is the person you’re sitting next to at work; who is she when she’s not making business-to-business calls, scheduling meetings or troubleshooting technical problems? How does her race, religion, economic background, family situation and overall lifestyle influence – or not influence – her work life? More importantly, how might her life beyond work offer diversity of thought in the workplace? Life experience should not be overlooked when assessing talent.

• Virtue: “Value in action, that’s virtue,” Wilson says. Candor, temperance, courage – these traits preempt problems like public scandals, harassment and discrimination and foster a positive moral pragmatism among coworkers and practical wisdom among leaders. With social media continuing to expose bad behavior and employee morale revealed to be at a stunning low, this is a significant quality in the on-going search for the best talent.